Your Capricious Soul

Album: Single release only (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Michael Stipe's first solo single after leaving R.E.M. in 2011 features rousing lyrics about an impulsive and unpredictable person. A "capricious soul" is someone who often changes their mind unexpectedly.
  • The electronica-flavored track was released on October 5, 2019. Its arrival was timed to coincide with the "International Rebellion" climate justice protests that took place two days later. The Extinction Rebellion movement inspired Stipe to release the song instead of holding onto it, and the singer's income from sales and licensing of the single are being donated to the climate activist group.

    "I took a long break from music, and I wanted to jump back in," Stipe said in a press release. "I love 'Your Capricious Soul' - it's my first solo work. I want to add my voice to this exciting shift in consciousness. Extinction Rebellion gave me the incentive to push the release and not wait.

    "Our relationship to the environment has been a lifelong concern, and I now feel hopeful - optimistic, even," he added. "I believe we can bring the kind of change needed to improve our beautiful planet earth, our standing and our place on it."
  • Stipe first performed the track back on May 2, 2019, when he opened for Patti Smith in New York.
  • The song is accompanied by a video directed by British filmmaker and photographer Sam Taylor-Johnson. The clip shows close-up footage of a young girl's freckled face.
  • Bucking convention, Stipe didn't release this song to YouTube, Spotify, or any other streaming platforms. Instead, he made the song and video available on his website, either for free or in exchange for a donation to the Extinction Rebellion. The download includes:

    The lyrics
    A stencil of the Your Capricious Soul artwork
    A poster
    An animated gif and 30-second video of Stipe's self-portraits
    The video
    The master audio

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."